I cannot lie… this moment feels heavy.
With the recent announcement of the new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation (IPEC) board, many in our community are feeling a mix of frustration, concern, and even disappointment. And truthfully, those feelings are valid. This change represents more than just new leadership; it represents questions about voice, representation and who is helping shape the future of education in our city.
I’ll be honest, I was disappointed too.
As someone who has been deeply involved in education in Indianapolis and has consistently used my voice to advocate for students and communities, the list felt lopsided. Out of the entire group, there is only one person I can say I personally know.
But I also recognize this: I can’t stay in that place.
I have to push that disappointment aside and ask myself a more important question — now what?
Because while we may not agree with the people selected, there is not much we can do about that decision. What we can control is how we respond. For me, that means figuring out how I will lend my support, use my voice and offer my perspective to ensure this board makes decisions that are right for the people and not decisions driven by politics.
This is where leadership shows up.
It shows up in our willingness to stay engaged, even when we feel overlooked and our voice goes unheard. It shows up in our ability to keep students at the center, even when decisions around them feel driven by something else entirely. What is happening feels like it is more about money and power than it is about students. We all agree that our education system must improve. We see the gaps. But improvement should not require tearing down history and legacy.
IPS is more than a district; it is a reflection of this city. It holds decades of stories, relationships and impact. It has deep ties to families and communities who have trusted it, challenged it, and grown alongside it. The changes that could come to the district feel disconnected. It feels like an attack not just on a system, but on the people who have poured into it.
And when those leading the charge lack deep roots or lived experience within the district, it raises even more questions about whose voices are truly being considered.
We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.
If we care about our students, our schools and the future of Indianapolis, then we must lean in and not pull back. This is the time to attend meetings, ask hard questions, build relationships and hold this board accountable to the communities they serve. This is the time to organize, to speak and to ensure that the voices of educators, families and students are not just heard, but they are felt.
Frustration, by itself, changes nothing. But frustration, when turned into action, can move a city.
David McGuire, Ed.D. is an educator, podcast host, and guest contributor to the Recorder.
DAVID McGUIRE
Dr. David McGuire is an educator and education reporter. He attended school in Indianapolis, K-12, and is a graduate of Central State University and holds advanced degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University and Marian University. In addition to his work as an educator, he also navigates the education system as a parent.
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